[bridgette09]

So here's the deal:
I was just about to hit the buy button on amazon.com while surfing around on here for some last minute opinions when I read that if my music wasn't of high quality such as FLAC (or something like that) that I would be wasting my time if I bought more than $50 headphones.
I was going to get the Monster Turbines.
How does everyone else feel?

 

[ljokerl]

Well, what quality is your music? Lossless codec snobbishness notwithstanding its impossible to tell FLAC from 320 kbps mp3 with a portable setup.

 

[TheMarchingMule]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljokerl /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, what quality is your music? Lossless codec snobbishness notwithstanding its impossible to tell FLAC from 320 kbps mp3 with a portable setup.

From my personal experience using a 5G iPod w/ UE super.fi 5 Pro, and one track ripped in 192, 256, 320, and ALAC, and through the headphone jack, it is possible to tell.

Don't ask me to do it again though, because I don't have any of the original equipment any more; that was two years ago.

But 192/256 MP3 files should be adequate enough for most people, esp. w/ portable devices. If you want to formally test yourself, try the ABX option in foobar2000.

 

[timaishu]

Its not wasteing your time.

In my opinion it doesnt matter so much the quality of the rip (320 kbps mp3 vs lossless) but the quality of the recording. I have a cd ripped in FLAC and I think it sounds like garbage due to bad recording. I have also heard stuff ripped in 320 kbps mp3 that sounds absolutely beautful because it is a quality recording.

 

[bridgette09]

That's the problem, the majority of my music is from iTunes or ripped from the cd at about 192 or whatever iTunes sells them as. I used to be all particular and listen to only super high quality but then I choose space over quality (which isn't good) and lowered my standards.

 

[ljokerl]

So... which ipod have you got?

 

[dweaver]

The Turbines will sound awesome with your music. I have almost all my music in the same formats as you and they sound great with my TB's. Yes I also am starting to record stuf using FLAC and it does have a bit more sound quality (I am starting to use these on my PC plus to keep as a high end source for creating new MP3 if I need them in the future) but I still enjoy my 192kbs mp3 files on my Touch.

In fact I would say the TB's are a perfect fit for 192kbs MP3 as they will not expose any real weakness in the music like really high quality earphones/headphones can do.

Buy your new phones and enjoy the new world of higher quality music and relax on fretting about some posters need to be SUPER HIGH END and dissing anything else.

 

[cyberidd]

I listen to poorly encoded music with the Turbines all the time, and although it doesn't give the same satisfaction as with my lossless stuff, it is still enjoyable.

 

[shigzeo]

i still enjoy 128kbps (lame or itune aac) files to tell you the truth - with any phone. i prefer anything over 192kbps (and of course a modern codec), but no problems. the turbine are a good deal at their price now. they are well machined, come with great accessories in a nice box. even at their 179$ pricepoint, other than the dinky cable, i enjoy them.

 

[bridgette09]

I have an iPod Classic 80gig.
And I think I will now hit the buy button.
I just needed to make sure I was not wasting my money.

 

[cyberidd]

Congratulations, I hope you enjoy them!

 

[dweaver]

Good for you, enjoy the new level of music you get

 

[JMT391]

I <3 Turbines. I listen to mostly 320kbps MP3s, a few 256kbps. My pink noise is lossless though (go figure). Either way, the turbines aren't hi-fi headphones and won't ruin lower quality music. You won't really notice a difference on 90% of portable setups regardless.

 

[Berlioz]

Congrats on the buy! Enjoy the Turbines. I found them to be quite acceptable for their price, which is saying something since I was expecting to hate them from the get go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljokerl /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, what quality is your music? Lossless codec snobbishness notwithstanding its impossible to tell FLAC from 320 kbps mp3 with a portable setup.

It is very possible to differentiate between 320kbps and FLAC on a portable setup. The more complicated the music gets, the easier it is to tell them apart. That being said, some pop recordings actually sound better on 320kbps - the recordings aren't great and the 320kbps smooths it all over. I've done a lot of comparisons with various iPods that I own, as well as my own S9. Just some food for thought.